Sysco to Build 'Fold Out' Center in North Carolina

HOUSTON - Sysco Corporation will construct a "fold-out" facility in North Carolina, according to North America's largest distributorship based here.

The company has tentatively selected a site on U.S. Highway 70 By-Pass Frontage Road, which is located in Selma, NC, in Johnston County. Due diligence is currently underway, including geotechnical and environmental studies.

The new company is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2006 and will serve restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges, retirement homes, hotels and other foodservice operations in north central North Carolina and southern Virginia.

The complex will measure approximately 395,000 sq.ft. of refrigerated, frozen and dry warehouse space, as well as administrative offices. Initially the facility will employ about 345, which expected to reach approximately 600 by 2010, depending on sales growth.

Foodservice customers in the area currently are being served principally by a Sysco operating company in Charlotte, NC.

Richard J. Schnieders, chairman and ceo, said, "The 'fold-out' concept of building new facilities in an area with an established sales base that has been served by a distant Sysco company has been integral to the success of Sysco's internal growth strategies and enabled us to provide more localized service to customers in those areas. The vibrant growth we have seen in foodservice in the Raleigh market area will support another facility, allowing us to expand our distribution capabilities and favorably impact the communities in that region."

The distributorship credited with selecting this location the State of North Carolina Department of Commerce, Johnston County Economic Development, Johnston County Board of Commissioners, Town of Selma, The Lewis Group and Stephen W. Wright Co.

"This site was chosen because of the available outstanding workforce, the lifestyle and amenities afforded by the community and the willingness of the city, county and state officials to assist in securing economic development incentives and other assistance," said Jack D. Carlson, Sysco's vice president, real estate and construction.

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